It is without a doubt that Frank Sinatra is one of the biggest legends in music history. He sang many classics with his powerful, yet very smooth voice. He was a movie star, an iconic showman, and he hobnobbed with a variety of influential and powerful figures, from politicians to mob bosses. And his son Frank Jr hoped to follow in his footsteps. But father and son Sinatra, along with the rest of the family, would find themselves at the center of a terrifying ordeal in December of 1963, when Frank Jr was kidnapped and held for ransom over 2 and a half days. With the country still reeling in the wake of the JFK assassination, the story of the most famous entertainer in the world being caught up in a kidnapping scheme involving his own son, would add on even more drama. After a tense 54 hour ordeal, the ransom would be paid and Frank Jr would be released, and then the culprits would immediately be captured. In the aftermath that followed, many questions would be raised: Why Sinatra? What could be the motive? And a very shocking question put forth, could Frank Jr have actually had a hand in the plot of his own kidnapping?
Sources for this episode:
SNATCHING SINATRA - The Washington Post
Frank Sinatra Jr. Reported Abducted; FRANK SINATRA JR. REPORTED SEIZED Tells of Threat A Hit in New York - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Sinatra Jr. Freed Unhurt; $240,000 Paid by Father; Local Police Irked Nevada Phone Calls Kidnappers Release Frank Sinatra Jr. After $240,000 Ransom Payment by His Father Abducted in California - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Suspects in Kidnapping of Singer Are Arraigned; 3 in Jail in Sinatra Case; $233,855 Ransom Found Have Police Records 3 Suspects Are Held in Sinatra Case After Arrest by the F.B.I. on Coast Will Present Evidence - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
SINATRA JR. BACK ON WITNESS STAND; Again Denies His Abduction Was a Publicity Stunt - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
2 IN SINATRA CASE GIVEN LIFE TERMS; Sentencing of 3d Is Delayed —All Convicted by Jury - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Amazon.com: Sinatra: The Chairman eBook: Kaplan, James: Kindle Store
Watch Stealing Sinatra | Prime Video (amazon.com)
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